perspective from the neck

Longhorns and Aggies *CAN* get along!

Recently I was asked by an online Catholic friend if I received a package yet. I hadn’t, so when I checked the mail after a long mail hold while we were visiting family in Virginia, I was excited to open the package and see what it was. To read more, find my entry at Austin Catholic New Media…

About Martina

I am a 30-something stay-at-home mom to five kiddos, 4/96 through 8/10. We recently decided to homeschool after many years in public school. In my "spare time," I serve as the chair for the Pastoral Council at my home parish and I help with our Adult Faith Formation program, from the planning committee to facilitating and mentoring incoming facilitators. I also enjoy photography as a hobby. I enjoy talking about all things Catholic and always look to infuse a little bit of humor whenever possible.

Gig em Ditto! Although I love my alma mater, I always said that the education I received at St. Mary’s in College Station far surpasses the education I received at Texas A&M. Thanks to a strong Christian culture among the student population and amazing priests that have served at St. Mary’s, many cradle Catholics meet Jesus in a real and personal way!

I don’t understand how Catholicism belongs to a political preference…that certainly is NOT in the magesterium! Some of Christ’s teachings can be found in the values of both political parties and neither party represents Catholicism well – far from it! Political parties aren’t meant to be our faith – that is a sin right there! Being liberal or conservative should not be the definition of a good Catholic. It should have nothing to do with it! I found this post to be full of prejudice…a person can be devoutly Catholic and liberal or Catholioc and conservative… and for you to say otherwise, shows that you have not taken the time to truly learn “the truth”, as you say you’d rather know.

1. I never *once* say that Catholicism belongs to any political preference. That was an inference made on your part.

2. I agree that Christ’s teachings are found in both political parties and you are right, neither represent the Church perfectly – we are definitely in agreement on that!

3. Unfortunately, political parties become a part of our faith b/c we are required as Catholics to exercise our civic duty…hence, the problem that you and I agree on in #2.

4. I never said that being liberal or conservative is a definition of a good Catholic. In fact, I never mention “conservative” specifically. What I *did* say, and I completely stand by this, is that liberalism tends towards moral relativism – and *that* is true. That is the bigger problem. Secularly speaking, if you are liberal, you are in favor of all the social justice issues, with abortion not included. As Catholics, the biggest litmus test for our adherence to the Faith is where we stand on any of the life issues, particularly abortion {being that it is among the gravest of sins and cries out to the heavens for vengeance – roughly paraphrased from the CCC}.

5. I completely disagree that I don’t know the “Truth.” I have spent a number of years in liberal shoes and know my position quite well, which I never directly state my political position in this entry.

I appreciate your post, but I would also like to challenge you to look very closely at what the liberal trends are in secular society and even within Catholic liberalism.

Now, if I had truly wanted to make this a political piece as you suggest, then I would have used words like Democrat or Republican. Just so we’re clear, I am neither. Again, see #2. 🙂

That’s fair. My apolgies for making inferences. So, if you are not at all talking politics here, what is the opposite of the “liberalism” you are saddended by at UT? What would you call this opposite?
Since you brought up abortion, I will say that I disagree with your statement “Secularly speaking, if you are liberal, you are in favor of all the social justice issues, with abortion not included.” I happen to know several secular liberals who value all life, so that would include abortion.There are people out there who can be liberal on social justice issues including abortion. I suppose it could also be said, “secularly, if you are conservative, you are for government staying out of things, unless it is a woman’s body.” We run into problems when we “think” we completly know the “other” and don’t allow for nuances.

**I happen to know several secular liberals who value all life, so that would include abortion.There are people out there who can be liberal on social justice issues including abortion. I suppose it could also be said, “secularly, if you are conservative, you are for government staying out of things, unless it is a woman’s body.” We run into problems when we “think” we completly know the “other” and don’t allow for nuances.**

Perhaps I should have clarified, but I made the mistake of assuming it was obvious that liberalism tends in the direction that I spoke of. The fact that you know of several liberals who value life does not change what the overwhelming flavor of liberalism is. Secularly speaking. I, too, know of several people who are secular, liberal when it comes to social justice and are in favor of defending the unborn. Sadly, they are the minority, wouldn’t you agree?

As for the government staying out of things, that would be a lovely thought, except that we would also have to ask them to stay out of our business when it comes to spouse abuse, child abuse and other equally horrific things. There is a blurred line with where we want our government to intervene {for safety} and to not cross lines {regulating common sense}.

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